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For nine decades, the Kiplinger organization has led the way in personal finance and business forecasting. The Kiplinger Letter, launched in 1923, remains the longest continuously published newsletter in the United States. In 1947, Kiplinger created the nation's first personal finance magazine. Today, Kiplinger.com is the fastest growing Web site in personal finance. The Kiplinger editors remain dedicated to delivering sound, unbiased advice for your family and your business in clear, concise language.

Homeowners are sometimes hesitant to upgrade when it's time to sell. After all, you won't be living there much longer, and home remodeling efforts only increase home values by 66.1 percent of the average project's costs, according to Remodeling magazine's 2014 cost vs. value report.

But think again, sellers. The cost of inaction can be far greater than the small loss you'll incur on any home-improvement projects. "It can mean the difference between getting multiple bids at once and driving up the selling price or getting no offers," says Brian Lewis, a real estate broker with Halstead Property, a New York realty firm. As your house lingers on the market, you'll likely pay ongoing mortgage, maintenance and staging costs.

We've already highlighted several household features home buyers hate, including popcorn-finished ceilings, brass fixtures and vanity strip bathroom lighting. Now, consider seven features buyers want to see -- and what it will take to add such features to your home.

Buyers who want this feature: 93 percent

Cost to renovate: $2,637-$3,077 for an 80-square-foot space (replacing existing cabinetry, countertops, sink and flooring, painting the walls, and updating the plumbing and lighting fixtures)

Fifty-seven percent of home buyers say they wouldn't buy a home without a laundry area. "Having a separate room [to use for things such as folding or ironing clothes] helps to keep the mess out of your living space," says Paul Sullivan, a Newton, Massachusetts, remodeler and custom builder. "Potential buyers will see it as a huge benefit." The laundry room in this Charlotte, North Carolina, home has a space large enough for a full-size washer and dryer, storage space for folded clothes and laundry supplies, additional electrical outlets and a sink.

Swapping out your old windows for new fuel-efficient versions (similar to the window replacement done to this Lawrenceville, Georgia, home) will help your home stand out to buyers looking to cut down on utility costs.

Energy Star-qualified windows, which can help reduce energy bills by up to 15 percent, come equipped with an invisible coating, vacuum-sealed spaces filled with inert gas between panes, sturdier weather stripping and improved framing materials -- all of which reduce undesirable heat gain and loss in the home. "Buyers are most impressed with smart, energy-efficient choices that in no way limit their comfort, but in every way save them money in the long run," Lewis says.

Cost to install: $2,025-$2,363 for a 380-square-foot space (including adding cabinetry, a peg wallboard for tools and improved lighting and electrical circuits)

Buyers with growing families need lots of storage space. "A seller should ensure that such bonus space is easily accessible and wonderfully organized," Lewis says. Additional storage units in the garage (similar to this Wilsonville, Oregon, home) help to keep clutter out of the main living areas. Unlike an attic or backyard shed, the garage is easily accessible.

Eat-in kitchens are a must-have for many, especially families with children. "[It] adds soul to a home," Lewis says. It's a space where families often congregate in the morning for breakfast. Or in the evening for dinner so everyone can share highlights from their day.

If you're looking to maximize space by knocking out a wall to allow for a small table and chairs in your kitchen (similar to the recently remodeled Salt Lake City home shown here), you should first determine whether the wall is structural or load bearing, Parsons says. Another concern is the possibility of mechanicals in the wall, such as plumbing, duct work and electrical wiring, that may need to be removed, he adds. Lastly, once an interior wall has come down, the flooring material that surrounds the drywall and base molding will need to be patched up. Removing a wall is relatively inexpensive, but that price can quickly escalate if additional repair work is needed, Parsons warns.

Additional storage space in the kitchen is a big plus for potential home-buyers. Walk-in pantries that have built-in organization systems help make an tight space feel less cluttered. "The key is [having] strong adjustable shelving that allows people to change things around as their needs change," Sullivan says. It's a bonus if your pantry also allows you to neatly tuck away mops and brooms.

The walk-in kitchen pantry in this Hoover, Alabama, home has several built-in shelving units, counter space for small appliances and storage hooks for mops and brooms.

Wireless home security systems rank the highest among technology features buyers would like to have most, according to homebuilders association. Systems that can be easily controlled by a tablet or smart phone app are especially attractive, Parsons adds. Installing a wireless home security system is less expensive than a hard-wired version and doesn't require professional assistance to install.

The two-bedroom, two-bathroom condo in the trendy Dupont Circle neighborhood of Washington comes with a wireless alarm system.

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astramate

If you're listed with a real estate outfit, get out of your contract (if possible) and shop for another agent and/or real estate outfit. Consider other options . . . open listing, FSBO, or do your homework on those agents who have been selling. If you're listed, your agent is worthless.

I guess I should run right out and purchase a wireless security system for my home! That is the only thing of your seven we do not have in our home. Our house and 2.67 acres has been on the market for over nine months with no bites. We are within the market pricing and have reduced the price 3 times totaling $25,000.00. I am to the point I will rent it out until the election's happen and hopefully change the economy.